When Tim Keenan III announced he was coming back to Alabama football for his fifth season of eligibility, the Crimson Tide defensive tackle first apologized.
He apologized for how the 2024 season ended, reiterated his goal to win a national championship and pledged his final season at Alabama to doing everything he could to hoist a trophy.
Months later, clad in practice gear, having finished his first week of Crimson Tide spring workouts, Keenan reiterated that same message.
"Well, I mean, of course going 9-4 is not the standard here at the University of Alabama ," Keenan said, remembering how he grew up watching the "dominant" Crimson Tide, and how he will give all he can to make that a reality once again.
For the plethora of Alabama veterans putting off the NFL for another year Keenan's message is a common one: 2024 wasn't good enough, but there is trust in Kalen DeBoer , trust in the talent on the roster where 2025 will be better.
"Some unfinished business. Nasty taste in my mouth," Alabama wide receiver Germie Bernard said. "Just being back with some of the guys and having another shot to win the national championship."
LT Overton was one of the players to buy into the notion Keenan was preaching.
Through the first three spring practices, Overton's message was one of consistency, urging other members of the defensive line to remain consistent and simply play "to the Alabama standard."
But Overton's decision to return to the Crimson Tide was a personal one. It was one made because of what it could mean for the next level.
"I feel like I left a lot on the table last year, especially sack wise," Overton said. "Pressures are cool and all, but you know what the guys really want to see is who's really making that production. So it was more like I know I was up there, second, first round. But I know I left way more production on the board, and I'm just trying to solidify that spot, that first round."
Jam Miller is the veteran now in the Alabama running back room. At least that's how the Crimson Tide senior views it.
It's Miller's time, he says to "step up and be a leader," to be an encourager to his room and to the rest of his teammates.
"We all know what our one job is," Miller said. "It was coming back and winning a national championship."
Bernard views it more as a "player-led" approach, knowing what to expect from DeBoer and his staff, and taking a step forward, knowing what it will take to "withhold" the Alabama standard.
To Keenan, it's being the best leader he can, centering his mind around a message he repeatedly told himself, told Nick Saban and told whoever would listen: he came to Alabama to win a national championship.
"Really, I put my trust in God. And I believe in the guys here, believe in the coaches here," Keenan said. "I believe in the system. I really believe in the University of Alabama."
Colin Gay covers Alabama football for The Tuscaloosa News, part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach him at cgay@gannett.com or follow him @_ColinGay on X, formerly known as Twitter.
This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: 'Unfinished business' defines Alabama football veterans putting off NFL
